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Psalms and Song of Songs

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of Poetry
    31 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    Poetic Structures
    22 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. Lesson Three
    Praise and Lament
    24 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  4. Lesson Four
    The Diversity of Psalms
    28 Activities
  5. Lesson Five
    Song of Songs
    20 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

Participants 24

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Psalms and Song of Songs Overview of Poetry In | Duplicate Psalms, Part 1
Lesson 1, Activity 13

In | Duplicate Psalms, Part 1

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The idea of “divine inspiration” may bring to mind a lightning flash of heavenly insight. Or, we might think of the biblical authors as “divine stenographers” who take dictation from God, simply writing down what they hear and see. 

The historical reality was most likely quite varied. The Psalms provide a case in point. As far as we can tell, a number of people contributed to this book over generations of time. And there was inspiration that involved collaboration. 

The book of Psalms was drafted by a collection of people who in some cases appear to reference or borrow from each other. A number of Psalms duplicate one another in content. We might think of these as ancient “remixes” of existing hymns that are altered to different tunes or contexts by later contributors. The most complete example of duplication involves Psalms 14(ESV), and Psalms 53(ESV), outlined below.

Psalm 14 (ESV)Psalm 53 (ESV)
To the choirmaster. Of David.To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;  there is none who does good.1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;  there is none who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.2 God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.3 They have all fallen away;together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD?4 Have those who work evil no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?
5 There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.5 There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;
6 You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge.. . . you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people,let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.